The days of paper maps folded haphazardly in the glove box are over! Technology has made them obsolete. Now, we get turn-by-turn directions in the palm of our hands, at the touch of a finger. Over the years, navigation devices and applications have grown by leaps and bounds. From a separate GPS device to a built-in touch screen in our vehicles - and, now, on every mobile device - navigation applications and maps have become practically omnipresent. Now the question is: which navigation app is best?
The most popular navigation application, by far, is Google Maps with over 23 million downloads just last year and billions of users across the globe. Waze follows in the US, with just over 11 million downloads last year. And Apple Maps, although hard to track downloads - since it comes built-in to all Apple devices - is also a major player. Roadtrippers, Tom Tom Go and Mapquest also make the most-popular lists. But it’s hard to decide which is best for YOU.
Do you want the fastest route? The most scenic? Worried about traffic?
For day-to-day use, most reviewers (and downloaders) choose Google Maps. It’s simple, data-driven and regularly updated. It’s available on just about every device out there. It also provides ETAs based on live traffic data and syncs across devices if you log in with your Google account.
Waze is adored by users hoping to avoid traffic, speed traps and cameras. Since Waze uses both real-time traffic data and user interaction, there’s local insight you might not find elsewhere. Instead of finding the shortest distance from point A to point B, Waze analyzes multiple conditions to get you to your destination as fast as possible; it will automatically alter your route to make that happen.
Apple Maps is also among top choices, especially for iPhone users. It is perfectly integrated with Siri and Apple CarPlay. It also boasts 3D maps and interactivity with other Apple apps. The simple interface and recent search history make it easy and convenient on a day-to-day basis. Apple Map’s static search bar is also a benefit, making it easy to find a restaurant or gas station quickly.
Those would be our top choices, and you’re probably already familiar with them, but there are some smaller apps that provide specific services, too:
Roadtrippers is a free app for Mac, PC, Android and iOS. Its main benefits include instant fuel cost estimations and road-trip planning based on categories. There are more than 25 million trips planned and helps users explore new places. You can plan a trip from A to B and set places to stop in between. It syncs with other map applications like Google Maps to help ensure a seamless navigation experience.
Mapquest can help you find the best gas prices nearby and allows you to create custom maps. It’s available on iOS, Android and Windows phones. Mapquest boasts an interactive map with hotels, gas stations and stores along with real-time traffic data. Mapquest is great because it allows you to add up to 26 stops along a route and you can create custom maps to share with friends and family.
TomTom has been around for over 30 years and its location technology is integrated into many of today’s vehicles. Because it has been around and in-vehicle for so long, the TomTomGo app is able to collect and use data from over 400 million cars currently on the road and it uploads that data every 2 minutes, so it’s just as up-to-date as its competition. Where TomTomGo shines is its voice integration/navigation. It offers over 100 voice options in multiple languages. It also supports 3D maps with Apple CarPlay.
Overall, the navigation map you choose comes down to personal preference. Do you like the interface? What are you regularly using it for? Does it work well with your vehicle and devices? When you’re ready for your next vehicle, test drive a few options at the Folsom Auto Mall and see how the navigation connectivity works for you. We hope this helps!
The most popular navigation application, by far, is Google Maps with over 23 million downloads just last year and billions of users across the globe. Waze follows in the US, with just over 11 million downloads last year. And Apple Maps, although hard to track downloads - since it comes built-in to all Apple devices - is also a major player. Roadtrippers, Tom Tom Go and Mapquest also make the most-popular lists. But it’s hard to decide which is best for YOU.
Do you want the fastest route? The most scenic? Worried about traffic?
For day-to-day use, most reviewers (and downloaders) choose Google Maps. It’s simple, data-driven and regularly updated. It’s available on just about every device out there. It also provides ETAs based on live traffic data and syncs across devices if you log in with your Google account.
Waze is adored by users hoping to avoid traffic, speed traps and cameras. Since Waze uses both real-time traffic data and user interaction, there’s local insight you might not find elsewhere. Instead of finding the shortest distance from point A to point B, Waze analyzes multiple conditions to get you to your destination as fast as possible; it will automatically alter your route to make that happen.
Apple Maps is also among top choices, especially for iPhone users. It is perfectly integrated with Siri and Apple CarPlay. It also boasts 3D maps and interactivity with other Apple apps. The simple interface and recent search history make it easy and convenient on a day-to-day basis. Apple Map’s static search bar is also a benefit, making it easy to find a restaurant or gas station quickly.
Those would be our top choices, and you’re probably already familiar with them, but there are some smaller apps that provide specific services, too:
Roadtrippers is a free app for Mac, PC, Android and iOS. Its main benefits include instant fuel cost estimations and road-trip planning based on categories. There are more than 25 million trips planned and helps users explore new places. You can plan a trip from A to B and set places to stop in between. It syncs with other map applications like Google Maps to help ensure a seamless navigation experience.
Mapquest can help you find the best gas prices nearby and allows you to create custom maps. It’s available on iOS, Android and Windows phones. Mapquest boasts an interactive map with hotels, gas stations and stores along with real-time traffic data. Mapquest is great because it allows you to add up to 26 stops along a route and you can create custom maps to share with friends and family.
TomTom has been around for over 30 years and its location technology is integrated into many of today’s vehicles. Because it has been around and in-vehicle for so long, the TomTomGo app is able to collect and use data from over 400 million cars currently on the road and it uploads that data every 2 minutes, so it’s just as up-to-date as its competition. Where TomTomGo shines is its voice integration/navigation. It offers over 100 voice options in multiple languages. It also supports 3D maps with Apple CarPlay.
Overall, the navigation map you choose comes down to personal preference. Do you like the interface? What are you regularly using it for? Does it work well with your vehicle and devices? When you’re ready for your next vehicle, test drive a few options at the Folsom Auto Mall and see how the navigation connectivity works for you. We hope this helps!